One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi

Unknown
Among a number of beauty-spots in Hanoi, the One-Pillar Pagoda (one of Vietnam’s two most iconic pagodas, side by side the Perfume Pagoda) is a popular tourist attraction.

One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi
Photo by Thomas Schoch
Rivaling Cot Co as one of Hanoi’s most prominent icons, the Chua Mot Cot or the One Pillar Pagoda was constructed by Emperor Ly Thai Tong in AD 1049. Situated within the tiny Dien Huu Pagoda, also dating from the 11th century, this wooden pagoda was built, as the name suggests, on a single stone pillar, standing in an elegant lotus pond.

Upstairs support a system of wooden forming the solid framework for the temple above, are as a lotus flower reaching up from a small lake square, have built brick railing around. A ladder leads to the temple entrance.

On the door has written 3 words “Lien Hoa Tu” recalls the dream of King Ly led to the construction of the temple. There’s of course a legend behind: According to legend, one ageing Emperor, who had no children, used to go to pagodas to pray Buddha for a son. One night, he dreamt that Bodhisattva, who was standing on a great lotus flower, gave the King a baby boy. Later Queen gave birth to a male child and the Emperor ordered the construction of a pagoda supported by only one pillar to resemble the lotus seat of his dream in the honor of the Bodhisattva. There is a theory that the pagoda was built in a style of a lotus emerging out of the water.

Over the centuries, One Pillar Pagoda has been damaged and reconstructed on numerous occasions. However, none of these acts of destruction is harder to fathom than its burning by the French in 1954. After that, Ministry of Culture has a project to rebuild and repair the pagoda as nowadays.

On10/11/2012, in Faridabad, India, One Pillar Pagoda has been rewarded as the most unique architectural pagoda in Asia.

   If you want to discover other wonderful places other than Hanoi, here we offers some best tours from Hanoi as references to help you to have great time in Vietnam.

#buttons=(Accept !) #days=(20)

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Check Now
Accept !